This is a special "family" edition of our blog. The last month has emphasized the joy that comes from our families. It was highlighted by our first ever "family reunion" at Bear Lake and supported by the special experiences with family on both sides of the veil, including the birth of two new grandchildren.
Our family is diverse and we love each one of them. Having as many of them as possible together at our family reunion only added to that love. We are learning to value each of them and learn from their perspective. We love seeing our children raise their own families and rejoice in their righteous efforts. We recognize that they are each doing the best that they can.
Let's start with the "family reunion". We decided to hold this family reunion almost a year ago and reserved a large "house" near Bear Lake, Utah, that was advertised to hold up to 57 individuals. We made the commitment to rent the house and let everyone know to schedule their vacation so we could all be together on July 29 to August 1, 2019. There was a lot of excitement and plans made.
One of the ideas was to have an updated family photo, since our last family photo was taken more than 10 years ago. Since Melanie and her family from Pennsylvania planned to be here, we thought this was a good idea. Jared contracted a photographer from Logan and a time was set for 10:00 am, July 30. Gina and Pollyanna chose a palette of colors for everyone to wear.
As the time grew closer, it became evident that some family members would not be at the reunion. Reasons varied because of work commitments, distance, new baby, etc. As we tried to convince everyone to come at least for the photo, it became evident that we were pushing too hard. Finally, a little over two weeks before the reunion, I received some clear direction from my Heavenly Father as noted in my July 12, 2019 journal entry shown below:
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Last night as I was praying about this struggle and the stress that it is causing for Debbie and I, I received the thought that we are asking people to drive 5 hours round trip for a photo, when some of them struggle to be with us in family activities for even an hour or two or at all. Then my thoughts came to what we are trying to accomplish. I know that if some of these family members come out of obligation, those same feelings will continue for however long they are there.
Finally I realized that this reunion should be for those who voluntarily want to come. Those who want to come will have a good time and contribute to a positive spirit. As I pondered this further I realized that this entire reunion should be driven by the principles of love and agency. As these thoughts kept going through my mind, I felt immense stress leaving my body. I felt free to enjoy the reunion and my posterity without feeling obligated to make it fun for certain individuals. It was an amazing feeling of peace.
I believe part of the problem was our desire to have everybody there and in a photo that we can share with others. At least I like the idea of telling others that we were able to get our entire diverse family together, which is probably a little pride driven. I constantly need to work on letting “recognition” feelings from getting in the way of correct principles.
Today as I shared this with Debbie, she was in total agreement. We determined that we will still have a family photo, but will add all that are missing through their own photos added to the overall photo. I feel much better about asking this sacrifice of each of them. As I communicated this to the guardians of Camila’s kids, they agreed that none would feel comfortable for a length of time except Caide who wants to go. I talked to Renica who said she and at least two of her kids want to go. We will work with others who are on the fence. What is amazing is that I can sincerely accept their choices without reservation,which is how it should be. During this day most of the unknowns have been resolved."
With this resolved, the remaining plans for the family reunion seemed easy to tackle. We decided to rent a SeaDoo (jet ski) for one day for our use at Bear Lake. Sam offered to rent another. We added to that two canoes also. We rented them to use at the North Shore beach which we had heard was the best location. On the Saturday before leaving, we got a phone call telling us that the renting location was not yet licensed and they wanted us to move the rental to the Rendezvous Beach at a 25% reduction in cost. Since that Beach was only 10 minutes from our rented house, we agreed.
We continued to make arrangements to help all to participate. We let Renica borrow one of our cars to make the trip with her family and they arranged to pick up Ammon and his one year old son. We picked up our grandson Caide and added two of Renica's kids to our car. Jacob picked up my mother and other items that did not fit into our car. Once we got through these logistics, everything else worked out very well.
The best summary of our family reunion was written in my journal on the day that we arrived home, August 1. I will share that journal as written and include photos contributed from many of the family members. Debbie is taking many of these photos and creating a memory book that we can share with others.
August 1, 2019 Journal Entry
"We just concluded our Tom and Debbie Rueckert Family Reunion. We spent the last 4 days (3 nights) with most of our posterity. On Monday night we had 54 individuals at our rented vacation house at Bear Lake. There is so much to say about this reunion, more will come in our blog.
We came to this family reunion with a bit of trepidation. As mentioned in my previous journal note, I received some direct inspiration that changed much of that. I was impressed that the driving principles of this reunion should be agency and love. I was not perfect in that, but was able to have some good repentance experiences when my errors were greatest.
Our rented vacation home was advertised to sleep 57. In reality, the beds accommodated 40 with an additional 7 couches, some oversized chairs and room for some air mattresses.
There were 7 private bedrooms that went to 7 married couples that were with us. That worked out very well. We had space for 10 grandsons on 5 trundle beds in the game room upstairs and beds in the Extra Room for 16, including 5 trundle beds and 3 full size or futon beds. We also had Sam sleeping in a tent and Kari and her family sleeping in another tent.
With all these people, the space was perfect. We generally did not feel too crowded. What was even better was the amenities that were enjoyed by all. There was a big sand box area that the younger children were in constantly and a horse shoe pit that had much use. It also had Air Hockey and a pool table and a children’s play area upstairs. We used the oversized garage for meal eating together, holding tables and chairs for at least 44 people.
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| Kids in the Sand Box, Playing Horseshoes behind |
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| This photo shows 10 grandkids in the sand box from a view on the deck above. It was the most utilized part of our vacation home. |
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| The pool table was constantly utilized and air hockey game behind was also busy |
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| Adults sometimes also got a chance to play pool, others watching TV or movies behind |
We also enjoyed the outside wrap around deck and the lower area for grilling and a propane fire pit where we enjoyed our Tuesday night meal and somores for dessert.
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| Cooking Somores on Tuesday evening in the propane fire pit |
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| Grandchildren playing on the wrap around deck on our last night |
Monday we mostly just got settled, enjoyed a nice dinner hosted by Debbie. Fortunately, Leo and Giovanna and Jacob provided quite a bit of assistance to help us pull off a barbecued baked chicken, with au gratin potatoes and corn on the cob for all.
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| This was our first evening meal with space for all in the oversized garage |
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| In full eating mode |
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| Even a high chair came with the vacation house |
After that we sat back and let everyone else provide the meals, which was wonderful. Jacob and Lamoni and Melanie and James DeVore took on the Tuesday night meal (hamburger, brats, etc.) and Gina and Pollyanna did a potato bar on Wednesday night. Jared took care of Tuesday breakfast, Beckie did Wednesday breakfast and Kari and Jamie did the Thursday morning breakfast. Sam provided almost unlimited sandwiches and fixings for consumption at lunch time or any other time during the week.
Giovanna, Moroni and Ammon each brought about 100 bottles of water, making 300 in all. We took home the last 4 bottles to drink on our way home. Bruna brought up 12 liters of root beer, which we used mostly for root beer floats throughout the week. We also provided four 5 quart pails and six half gallon cartons of ice cream which was abundantly enjoyed by all. We finally finished off the ice cream one hour before we left the vacation home this morning.
On Tuesday morning we had our family photo taken near Bear Lake in a beautiful setting, with a perfect fully sunny day. We had photos of everyone together, Grandparents and grandkids, and us with 12 of our 18 children (counting Giovanna). Then most families had their own family photo taken by the photographer. We will now add about 18 more of our posterity that were not able to be at the reunion through photo editing. That is our priority for the next few weeks.
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| Ammon provided hair cuts for Caide and others prior to the photo |
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| Photo of the Grandkids with Grandma and Grandpa |
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| Parents with 12 of our children who were there |
Tuesday afternoon, 21 of us went to the Minnetonka caves just over the border in Idaho. It was an amazing experience as we walked for an hour and a half through the caves inside the mountain that has been formed by our Heavenly Father and discovered by man just over 100 years ago. Others visited the Paris, Idaho Tabernacle while others stopped at Bear Lake or relaxed at the “home”.
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| 21 of us went to the Minnetonka Cave |
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| Three eight year olds and an eleven year old, with jackets, since the cave was 40 degrees |
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| Inside the cave, amazing! |
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| At the Paris, Idaho tabernacle |
Wednesday was our official Bear Lake day. We arrived by 9 a.m. and set up our spot on Rendezvous Lake, with canopies brought by several of our children. We rented two SeaDoos (jet skis) that accommodated 3 individuals on each. We also rented two canoes to be used by others. We kept all of this equipment pretty fully utilized until 3:00 pm when we were just all worn out. Sam was kind enough to rent the second SeaDoo after we had made commitments to one SeaDoo. It made a major difference. I am so glad that he chose to encourage this and pay for it. Only adults could drive the SeaDoos but all the grandchildren who wanted to, had opportunities to enjoy the rides. Personally, I took about six rides with different sets of grandchildren. Others also helped out for those who did not have parents to take them. For many, this was their first experience with a jet ski and everyone loved it, except some of the younger riders who thought that it went too fast. The canoes were also well utilized and provided some water enjoyment with a little less speed. Many of the grandchildren enjoyed time just playing in the sand and the shallow part of the water while others ventured further out. We brought some of Sam’s lunch fixings to the beach and enjoyed sandwiches as we enjoyed our time. The day was a bit overcast, which actually turned out perfect for us. As I returned to our “house” with Sam in his car, it was once more an opportunity to talk about our family and the strengths and sometimes “challenges” that our diverse family offers. Although Sam doesn’t have his own family, he takes a lot of ownership in making sure things work out with all of his siblings and nieces and nephews. His generosity is legendary and all look up to him for guidance and direction.
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| Sam, Pollyanna and Caide with kids in the Canoe |
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| Leo and Giovanna coming in on the Sea Doo |
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| Many enjoying the beach from under the canopy |
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| Grandkids before or after their Sea Doo rides |
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| Others building a swimming pool on the beach, with a helping neighbor |
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| Our youngest grandson at the beach, little Tommy, a bit worn out |
Each night we played plenty of games in the garage and on the deck. Kids were constantly playing everywhere, sand box, pool, air hockey or anything else that they wanted to play. Movies were watched and video games played together. A little bit of anything for everyone. There were many conversations between family members that helped strengthen family ties. Ammon spent time on Monday evening and Tuesday morning giving hair cuts to those who needed to be at their best for the family photo shoot.
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| One of the living rooms provided many hours of conversation, strengthening relationships |
Game playing is a big part of our reunions for many of our siblings and their spouses. Game nights have been common as they have grown up and still occur whenever possible. Sam brings all of his games, which are amazing and others also contribute. This is a time that all can play games, even if it only after their children are in bed, hence the need for late night game playing. Gina grew up loving the game of “Spoons”. She played it every year at Girls Camp. She brought her own game of Giant “Spoons” and we enjoyed a game on Tuesday night, which Gina won, at least the first time we played. On Wednesday night Gina tried to have the 4 to 6 year old children play “Spoons”. All went well until one did not get a spoon and another had one of the wrong color. We decided that at that age, they are not yet ready for “Spoons”. A great addition to our games was James Preston, our 13 year old grandson from Pennsylvania. He challenged a few of us to play Connect Four with him and of course he won. He then learned to play a few of the other games and quickly dominated in the game of “Cover Your Assets”. This was a great way to help him to get to know his uncles and aunts, one of our goals for this reunion. Often we would need to stop groups of game players so that we could eat meals. Even Debbie, an avowed non game player, found some new games that she enjoyed and played for several hours. It is always an opportunity to get to know others better. Great Grandma also loves to participate or observe, but she played quite a bit. One of Great Grandma’s favorite memories of the reunion was the many games of horse shoes that went on. That was my Dad’s favorite activity. It did my mother's heart well to see my father’s posterity enjoying the same activity.
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| First night there, our 4 to 6 year old granddaughters playing the memory game together |
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| Full time game playing on the deck before dinner on Wednesday |
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| A lively game of "Spoons" in the garage on Tuesday late night |
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| "Spoons" with the younger children on Wednesday evening |
Overall, this was a perfect reunion, logistically and emotionally. We had a few cases where I did some reproving without an increase of love. On Tuesday night, I went to my room to regroup and read a little of the biography of President Nelson. The second story I read was his experience with the Hatfield family. This was a family who had lost two young daughters, when Dr. Nelson had operated on their hearts. They harbored very strong feelings against him for many years, including as he had become an apostle of the Church. They had gone inactive and spoke badly to others about him, in spite of his continued efforts to meet with them. It was a burden that he carried for many years. Finally, nearly 60 years after this had occurred, the two little girls came to him in a dream and told him that they were still not sealed to anyone. His efforts to share this with their father, who was still alive, resulted in reconciliation and his and his son’s return to the Church. The mother had since passed away.
After reading this chapter, I continued to ponder about those who I had offended and knelt down to pray. As I prayed, I had confirmed to my heart what I already knew, that I needed to ask forgiveness and give the increase of love that I had not given earlier. In one case, the immediate response was forgiveness and love. In the other, it took longer, but the bad feelings were minimized if not erased. I had preached the principles of agency and love but had not acted accordingly. Sometimes it is hard to remember correct principles when things are going different to how we believe that they should. So I confess that all was not perfect at the reunion, but the challenges were overcome and the feelings of love seemed to abound.
I saw a few girl cousins (Aria and Arianna) leaving Tiare out of their play, based on an experience from several months ago. I asked them to forgive the past and be more inclusive. A little later, little 5 year old Arianna told me that they had decided to include Tiare and be friends. I can’t remember her exact words, but I was impressed at the lesson that she learned and exemplified. That is the only experience I witnessed of anyone being excluded from activities. It was marvelous to see the love that they all had for each other.
On Wednesday night I was eating dinner next to little Jacob Digerness, an 8 year old. He told me, “This has been the best week of my life”. I think that exemplified what we heard and felt from most of the grandkids. I couldn’t walk very far in the house without a little grandchild coming up and giving me hugs. Jacob was one of the children that did not like going fast (35 to 51 mph) on the SeaDoo. As we talked about it, he did not seem to have bad feelings about me going so fast. I congratulated him on a good attitude and told him that he would always remember this experience. He replied, “I will remember, not to go on a SeaDoo again”. A very honest answer but without ill feelings in any way.
On Tuesday, we invited Melanie’s family to go to the Minnetonka Cave with us. This came by phone call as they were driving around Bear Lake in their van. When they arrived at the house, they said that only Edward in their family wanted to go. That is how we wanted it, to let each decide. In fact it was special for me to have some more individual time with Edward, who had only been baptized earlier in the same month. I went in Jared’s car, while Debbie took our car to Paris, Idaho with Great Grandma and Melanie Digerness. Melanie was my hero of the whole reunion. She is 8 and a half months pregnant and has started feeling some small contractions. However, she was participating in everything she could and worked as hard as anyone in cleaning up after things, etc. While I traveled with Jared, with his two daughters and Edward in the back seat, we had a wonderful time talking about life and the gospel. Jared is an amazing husband and father. I felt like Jared and Melanie were the assistant heads of this reunion. They were involved in much more of the planning of the location, the Bear Lake experience and the photographer. Their responsibility in helping out with so many little things during the reunion was so helpful.
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| Melanie Digerness, 8 and a half months pregnant, never stopped helping and participating |
Perhaps the most touching moment of the trip was on Wednesday night, when Melanie and James had to leave to return to their home in Pennsylvania, a drive of almost 2,000 miles. They had just made that drive to arrive here only 4 days previous. As their boys went to their car several of them were in tears. Emotionally, they could not handle the fun that they had had to end. It broke my heart, because they do not have the privilege to be with their cousins on an ongoing basis. We are so glad that they came and made the sacrifice to be here. Over the past year and a half we have visited them four times and gotten to know these fine boys on a more personal basis. The love that they give back to us is phenomenal.
After they left, I had to keep my promise to Addie to play a game of air hockey with her. This was getting later in the evening. This was a special time with her and Aria, who she had invited to play with us. While playing, I was touched by the sight of our 12 year old grandson, Joshua, sitting on his bed reading his scriptures. That was an amazing example to me. Later that night, I witnessed his older brother, 14 year old Joseph, also reading his scriptures. Their family has been through a lot this year, but the two older boys who are priesthood holders seem to be heading strongly in the right direction. Joseph was incredibly helpful in helping us clean up and leave the house in order before we left this morning.
For the most part, every one was very respectful and helpful. It was fun to sit back and let each of them be responsible for their meals, even though we often couldn’t resist coming in and helping a little bit. Only Caide was there without a parent and he hung out with Renica and her family. So as grandparents we were free to interact as much as possible with our children and grandchildren.
Some of the family members left on Tuesday evening (Moroni with Tiare, Jacob, Bruna with Arianna and Kamila, Jacob and Katelyn) due to work commitments. On Wednesday night, we lost Sam and Ammon with Tommy, Melanie and James and their family, Beckie and her family, Lamoni and Aide, & Giovanna and Leo for differing reasons. That left us down to only Gina, Pollyanna, Kari, Jared, Renica , and Jamie and their families besides the Grandparents and Great Grandma, a mere 31 individuals. We heard it from many during the week, but this group talked quite a bit of the desire to do this more often. Even though we had certain concerns before this reunion, we found those concerns to be minimal and the joys of being together much greater that we had imagined.
As I mentioned about our trip to Israel earlier this year, my expectations were greatly exceeded. I am thankful for the privilege to be a father and grandfather to this amazing and diverse group of individuals who have been sent to this earth to be part of our posterity.
New Grandchildren
Although this reunion was planned a year ago, we had two welcome surprises since then that brought new grandchildren right at this special time. Dan and Amy had their third boy just one week before our reunion and were not able to participate. Jared and Melanie had their third girl two weeks after the reunion and participated the best that they could. We were blessed to be able to see each of these new spirits the same day that they came to this earth. Their presence reminds us so strongly of our Heavenly home, from whence they came. We love seeing these special spirits becoming part of our posterity. They are our 40th and 41st grandchildren.
Owen Elliot Digerness - born July 23, 2019
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| LIttle Own on the day that he was born |
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| Owen with Grandma (Oma) |
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| Owen with Grandpa (Opa) |
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| Owen with his parents, Dan and Amy |
Emily Jane Digerness - Born August 13, 2019
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| Emily with her eyes open on the day of her birth |
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| Emily with Grandma (Oma) |
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| Emily with Grandpa (Oma) |
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| Emily with her big sister, Ellie, who loves to hold her |
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| Emily with her sister, Olivia, with a helping hand from her father |
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| Emily with her parents, Jared and Melanie |
Family ordinances performed in the temples
We never tire of doing Family History work. It brings us such joy as we are able to unite families on paper as well as through the sacred temple ordinances. We want to include a special experience that occurred this past month that is an example of that joy. We have been blessed with the amazing help of the residents of the Legacy Retirement House in doing many temple ordinances for our ancestors and relatives. This has been possible through a special relationship with Gail Atkinson, who coordinates the temple work and family names for those residents.
One of her dear friends is a special lady that lives in Meridian, Idaho, Erica Soelberg. Erica is a temple ordinance worker in the Meridian Temple and has been doing temple work for our family names that Gail has sent to her. She has also been providing our family names to youth in her ward that have performed several hundred baptisms and confirmations for our relatives during this summer.
Erica had a special experience with one of the families that are part of our relatives on the other side of the veil. I share this in Erica's own words, in a letter that she sent to her family. Some of her facts are in error, since we do not live in the assisted living center, but the story is amazing:
July 21, 2019
I have to share my wonderful temple miracle.
You remember that Gail Atkinson has been sending me LOTS of temple names for our young women and young men to baptize in the temple here. Most of them are from a couple living in the same assisted living center who are converts and going gang-busters on their genealogy (mostly from Germany so Dad is enjoying all the German names!) It is such a joy because we have all these youth going to the temple two and three times/week...and the assisted living home have NO YOUTH to do all their baptisms. I just got a new batch of 120 male and 120 female. I just mailed back 200 that were done!! So exciting.
Fast forward...Last batch I kept back about 30 female and 30 male names when they were finished with baptisms so we could do initiatories for them. A couple of weeks ago, dad and I went and finished up that batch and I pulled a 'random" 10 to keep in our stash for endowments. Sent the rest on.
Just after that, dad and I were going to the temple. I randomly grabbed two names from my "endowments to do" envelope and headed into the session. I sat down and started to study my card. MARGARETHA FINKLEBERG. Born: July 24, 1619. I stopped --realizing we shared a birthday!! And that this year she will be 400 years old!!! I felt an immediate bond to her....a real bond. All through the session I thought about what has happened in the last 400 years. What her life was like when she was alive..and I felt that she must be so excited that was finally her turn to receive her temple blessings. While i was thinking about her, I realized that the last thing that needed to be done was to seal her to her parents!! And I decided to do that on my (and her) birthday this Weds.
I've been planning on it since then but finally mentioned it to Gail on Thursday. Gail said, "We really should double check that all is order with her parents" (NOTE: they will still seal the child if the child's work is all done and the card is ready....but if you have the info, you are encouraged to double check that all is in order.)
So Gail called Tom (her friend) and asked him to check. Come to find out, her FATHER'S work was complete, but her mother had not had anything done!!! Sooo...Tom and Gail sent me the card for her mother and I decided I needed to get that work done before Weds. So...it began.
First...I was asked to substitute the Sat Morning at the temple yesterday. PERFECT!! I went early and stopped at the baptistery. I asked them if I could leave a name to be done 5that morning The brother at the desk said they were not allowed to take names but that there was one girl on her way into the dressing room right then. (It was 6:30am on Sat morn--[pretty early for teens!) I found the VERY shy, quiet little girl. I asked her if she would be willing to help me out. She said yes....so I said, "Can I tell you a story?" I told her all about the name, the same birthday, the mama that was found and how on weds we were going to seal a family together and SHE would be a key player. She STARTED TO CRY!! It was soo sweet.
I went up and started my shift. I finished one of my stations 15 mins early, so I ran and got the card and did the initiatory during my shift. THEN...dad and I went back to the temple last night with Gary Foster from our ward as he took out his own endowment. It was the most wonderful session. Dad and I were the witness couple. We were there is the darling Foster family..and me with my sweet Margaretha FRICK...a 430 year old mother finally getting her endowment done and knowing she would be sealed in only three days to her husband and daughter. It was awesome.
(For other kids i am sharing this with..Fosters are a family that was actually invited back to church by Savannah when she was a missionary here. Both were baptized members, but neither had been active for a very long time...not active when they got married. There are seven children...hers and theirs.. They are one of those miracle families...absolutely changed their life as they embraced the gospel!!!)
So..there you have it. Weds will be a wonderful day. Sister Thompson (our shift leader) has arranged for me to do sealings at 8:15pm. Dad will join me there and we will seal Mama Margaretha to her husband and then Daughter Margaretha to her parents. I cant WAIT.
Between this experience....and reading through my grandmother Aline and Grandfather Clyde's life histories my mom wrote im preparation for our reunion, I am feeling so very blessed. Families are really ETERNAL..Not just my own little tree that I feel so compelled to nurture, prune and take care of ....but the entire tree...both past and future. It has opened my mind to the importance of making sure the work is done...do not assume. There may be other mothers, fathers, children, babies, etc just waiting for someone to realize they have been overlooked.
I love you daring girl. .You are working on the earthly trees....teaching the glorious message of the Plan of Happiness. What a blessing to those that will choose to listen. And to hear it from YOU!!
. . .
LOVE
Momma
We also sent additional members of this family that needed to be sealed to the same parents. Some were lacking endowment work which Erica and her husband performed on July 23. On July 24th, they sealed the parents and about 6 of their children together in a glorious sealing ceremony. We just met with Erica today and she shared this wonderful story with us in person. This Finkenberger family will always be special to her and to all of us. They are just one of many families that are finally being able to be sealed together after hundreds of years of waiting. What a joy it is for us to be involved in this work and to have so many angels like Erica Soelberg who are assisting us in this work for our relatives who have passed on.
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| Tom and Debbie with Erica on August 17, 2019 |
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| Erica with her dear friend, Gail Atkinson |
These stories never have an end. Last week Debbie was working in the baptistry during her temple shift and she heard familiar names while baptisms were being done. As she looked at the names, sure enough they were our names. Afterwards she talked to the young girls who were did the baptisms and found that their grandfather is in the assisted living center and had given them these names to do the proxy work for. As we discussed this further we found that their grandfather is Lynn Hanks, a brother who is working directly with Gail Atkinson. As we were there today, we also talked to Lynn who described the positive experience that his granddaughters had in the temple. It became more meaningful to them after they met Debbie and were able to get a stronger tie to those ancestors for whom they were performing the ordinances.
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| Gail, Erica and Lynn, the very special angels for our family tree |
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| Gails file cards for the temple work that they perform in the Legacy Retirement House. The section at the rear of this is for our names. We represent about half of what is being performed by these dedicated individuals. |
More Birthdays
We have celebrated a few more birthdays in the past month also. This included the 16th birthday of our granddaughter Naliyah (no photos), the 6th birthday of Jasper and the 1st birthday of little Grant. We also celebrated long distance the 14th birthday of James Preston who lives in Pennsylvania.
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| Jasper celebrating his 6th birthday |
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| Grant at his 1st birthday party |
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| Grant, enjoying his birthday book |
Other
A few other special events in this past month:
On July 17th we had the privilege to attend a ward fireside with Elder LeGrande Curtis and his wife. Sister Curtis gave us a wonderful overview of the faith of the Saints in West Africa where they had served for the past 5 years. It brought back many special memories that I have had working with these Saints during my working career. Then Elder Curtis shared his new assignment as the new Church Historian, which was informative and inspiring. He also showed us the actual cane that Brigham Young used when he identified where the Salt Lake Temple was to be built.
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Elder Curtis with the cane that belonged to Brigham Young
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We were privileged to attend the Tabernacle Choir Pioneer Day concert in person on July 19. The guest star was Sissel, an amazing Norwegian singing artist. We had been privileged to see her perform with the Tabernacle Choir in the 2006 Christmas Concert. As she sang How Great Thou Art in both Swedish and in English, we felt the spirit so strong.
Just 9 days later, we were privileged to hear Elder and Sister Bradshaw speak in sacrament meeting as they returned from their Self-Reliance mission in Hungary. Just two years ago, we were able to spend a week with them in Hungary and train them as they were beginning their mission. We became immediate friends and have communicated to each other consistently during the past two years. We love these two valiant servants and cherish the friendship that we have. As part of their sacrament meeting, a group of young returned missionaries from Hungary sang How Great Thou Art, first two verses in Hungarian and then we finished that great hymn again in English.
We love that powerful song and we love the experiences that we have in this life. Our Savior is so great! Our love and appreciation for him is so strong. We are truly blessed!
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| With Elder and Sister Bradshaw as they completed their mission. We are kindred spirits! |
When our children and grandchildren came from Pennsylvania to our Family Reunion, they arrived in our home on Sunday afternoon and spent that night with us. For the first time we were both in our home at the same time. They stayed in our home for a few days while we were on our mission. We enjoyed their time with us and found that we could have a family of eight stay with us in our little condo. The parents stayed in our spare bedroom and the six children slept in our living room and office on air mattresses. It worked, at least for one night.
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| Four air mattresses in our living room. Two more in the office behind. |
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| Two of our grandchildren, Henry and Timothy riding our stair chair like so many of our other grandchildren before them. |
Finally, I need to add something about our Grow Box garden. It has been quite fruitful this year. We have enjoyed a continuous supply of lettuce, tomatoes, cherry tomatoes and cucumbers so far. We also have quite a few cantaloupes growing. This photo shows that we can grow a pretty good garden in a patio in a condominium.
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| In between the tomato plants and the cantaloupe and cucumbers, holding a cucumber that I just picked. The cantaloupes are now growing over our patio swing. They just keep growing. The tomato plants are taller than I am. |
